Albany Catches
Picture: The prevalence and colour of the stripes indicates that this dhuie, although sized, is still quite young. As they age the stripes fade. (Photo courtesy of Nicholas Drummond)
Opportunities to head offshore have been limited due to the weather. An eager few who managed to pick a break in the weather and made it out to the 60 to 90m contours were rewarded with fair catches of queen, red and pink snapper as well as a few small dhufish. Samson fish were found schooling in a range of different areas while yellowtail kingfish were also encountered, however most of the latter seriola caught were no bigger than 10kg. Bigger red snapper have been found in dense schools at the edge of the shelf while harlequin fish have been turning up in bags of those working the shallower waters of less than 40m.
Heading out to target King George whiting through the inshore parts has also been a little tough because of the persistent strong winds, but again, the there was the odd day calm enough to fish the sound and both harbours where fish to 45cm were picked up together with herring, juvenile salmon, squid and the odd flathead. More squid have been coming from the marina early morning and after nightfall. Shore-based fishers have also managed to grab a feed of squid from Emu Point at times. Salmon are still turning up at most of the regular beaches including Cheynes, Nanarup, Middleton, Cables, Lowlands and Shelleys. The bigger schools seem to once again be appearing at Bluff Creek and along the Bremer stretch. Herring are can be sought at most of the beaches, especially areas that feature reef or rock. Better black bream sessions are being experienced in the rivers east of town.
Esperance Catches
Picture: Nice black bream caught in Bandy Creek on a soft plastic crab (Photo courtesy of Tyler Hewson)
King George whiting around the 35cm mark, small herring and black bream were among the species caught at Bandy Creek while the Taylor Street Jetty is worth a visit with herring, squid and skippy on offer. Salmon were reportedly thick at Salmon Beach at times during the week. The 3 to 7kg fish were scattered at Fourth Beach, which has also been fishing well for herring and small skippy. Juvenile salmon, skippy and herring have been coming from Stockyards. Bigger skippy and plenty of salmon have been picked up from the rocks at Warrenup.
Several pink snapper were landed from the stones at Hopetoun last week. Southern bluefin tuna may have started to reappear in local waters following the recent capture of a 4kg fish. The common mix of nannygai, breaksea cod, samson fish and yellowtail kingfish have been coming from the ground out wide. Sand whiting and squid are the main species being picked up by the boats in close.
